How much does tree removal cost in 2026?
Tree removal costs between $400 and $1,800 on average in 2026, with most homeowners spending around $900. But that average hides an enormous range — a small ornamental tree might cost $200, while a 100-foot hardwood near power lines can run $3,000 to $5,000 or more.
| Tree size | Height | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small | Under 30 ft | $150–500 |
| Medium | 30–60 ft | $450–1,200 |
| Large | 60–80 ft | $1,000–2,000 |
| Very large | 80 ft+ | $1,500–3,000+ |
These are 2026 US national ranges from several arborist and home-services cost surveys (sourced at the foot of the page). Height is the headline number, but as any tree company will tell you, it's only the starting point — the conditions around the tree often matter more than the tree itself.
Why height alone doesn't set the price
Most people expect tree removal to be priced purely by height, and there is a baseline rate of roughly $9.50 to $14.50 per foot. But that linear per-foot logic breaks down above about 60 feet, where climbing time, rigging complexity, and the need for a crane start to compound. Beyond height, arborists price four things:
- Trunk diameter. A thick trunk means far more material to cut and chip. As trunk diameter roughly doubles, cutting and chipping time doubles with it — two 50-foot trees can differ by hundreds of dollars on trunk size alone.
- Access and fall zone. A tree with a clear space to fall is dropped in one piece. A tree over a house, fence, or garden must be dismantled section by section and lowered on ropes — which adds 30 to 60 percent.
- Condition. A dead, diseased, or leaning tree is unpredictable and dangerous to climb, adding 30 to 50 percent for the elevated risk and slower work.
- Species. Dense hardwoods like oak cost more than light, simple-structured trees like palms. Wood density directly affects cutting time and disposal weight.
Worked example — a 50-foot maple in an open yard
A healthy 50-foot maple with average trunk and a clear fall zone sits in the middle of the medium bracket.
At the per-foot baseline, 50 ft × $9.50–14.50 = $475–725, midpoint about $600. With an average trunk the figure nudges up slightly, and adding stump grinding at roughly $250 brings the job to around $900 all-in — squarely in line with the national average.
The two biggest premiums: power lines and hazard
Two conditions push a routine removal into a much higher bracket, and both are about safety rather than size.
Power-line proximity adds 50 to 100 percent. A tree tangled with or close to live lines requires a line-clearance certified arborist and painstaking, section-by-section dismantling. Before you pay that premium, though, call your utility — if the tree is touching utility-owned lines, the utility may remove it for free. That single phone call can save four figures.
Emergency and storm response runs 50 to 100 percent above scheduled pricing. This premium is structural, not opportunistic: crews staff 24/7 rotations with after-hours pay, rent cranes at same-day rates, and take on higher-risk work. A tree already down on your roof at 2 a.m. is a different job from a planned removal on a dry Tuesday.
Get three quotes, and be wary of the cheapest. Tree work is dangerous, and a lowball quote often means an uninsured operator. Always confirm the company carries liability and workers' compensation insurance — if an uninsured worker is hurt on your property, you can be liable. Ask to see the certificate. A slightly higher quote from an insured, certified arborist is cheap insurance against a catastrophe.
Stump removal is a separate cost
Here's the line item that surprises people on the invoice: the quote to remove a tree almost never includes the stump. That's a separate job, priced separately.
- Stump grinding: $150–400. A machine grinds the stump 6 to 12 inches below ground level. The roots stay in place and decompose over time. This is the most popular option.
- Full stump and root removal: $300–500+. The entire stump and major roots are excavated — necessary if you're building or planting where the tree stood, but far more disruptive.
If you want the stump gone, ask for it to be quoted upfront. Grinding it at the same visit is cheaper than bringing a crew back later, because the mobilisation is already paid for.
Does insurance cover tree removal?
Sometimes — and it depends entirely on why the tree is coming down. Homeowners insurance may cover removal when a tree falls due to a covered event like a windstorm, particularly if it damages a structure or blocks a driveway. Coverage is most likely when there's resulting damage to insured property.
What insurance generally won't cover is removing a healthy or even a dead tree for preventive reasons — that's routine maintenance and an out-of-pocket cost. The frustrating irony is that a hazardous dead tree you remove proactively isn't covered, but the damage it causes if you leave it and it falls might be. Check your specific policy, and document any storm damage with photos before removal.
How to reduce tree removal cost
- Schedule in the off-season. Late winter is quieter for tree companies than post-storm summer, and quotes often reflect it.
- Handle your own cleanup. Keeping the wood and doing your own hauling or chipping can trim the bill.
- Bundle multiple trees. One mobilisation for several trees is cheaper per tree than separate visits.
- Call the utility first if power lines are involved — potentially free removal.
- Never skip insurance verification to save money. This is the one place a bargain can cost you everything.